Developing Web Sites with Macromedia Flash MX
by Rickard Müller

Paperback: 310 pages; 1 edition (March 15, 2003)
Publisher: Course Technology; ISBN: 0619062002

Editorial Reviews:
From Book News, Inc.
This guide introduces the tools available in Flash MX for creating and editing object and animations, then focuses on techniques for developing interactive web sites. It explains how to import bitmap and vector images, add sound to button events, integrate QuickTime movies, automate a Flash movie with ActionScript, and optimize the finished file for publishing. A familiarity with HTML is assumed.Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR

Book Description
Take advantage of the latest version of Flash to make the most interactive and dynamic Web Sites! Designed as a tool for serious Flash users, Developing Web Sites with Flash MX allows readers to design and deliver animations, presentations and intriguing Web Sites.

FlashGoddess Review:
This book is a good introduction to Flash MX. No previous Flash experience is required but the reader should have some knowledge of HTML.
I like the way the book is presented with each chapter ending with a summary, review questions and projects.
Chapter 1 gives a brief history of multimedia on the web, discusses Flash MX’s role as a multimedia tool, gives a run down of what’s new and describes launching a Flash site.
Chapter 2 introduces you to the tools.
Chapter 3 covers animation fundamentals and introduces you to some basic frame actions.
Chapter 4 discusses importing vectors and bitmaps, audio and QuickTime movies. The audio and video sections could have been expanded upon a bit more.
Chapter 5 explains using multiple scenes, levels, simple preloaders and testing with the bandwidth profiler. The author also explains using rollovers and movie clips with buttons and some animation effects. He also talks about design, colour and usability. It would have been nice to see some colour pages here.
Chapter 6 gives an introduction to ActionScript.
Chapter 7 teaches you about components.
Chapter 8 touches upon using third party languages (XML, CGI, and JavaScript) with Flash. The useful hands-on projects include creating a jpeg slideshow using XML, sending an email form using a CGI script, and opening a new HTML window from Flash using JavaScript.
Chapter 9 includes optimizing and publishing your Flash movies and using the Quick Start Templates.
Chapter 10 explores using 3-D tools and third party video and audio applications.

This book gives you a good foundation for working with Flash, the hands-on and case projects are commendable; however, some topics could have been covered more thoroughly.

Paperback: 310 pages; 1 edition (March 15, 2003)
Publisher: Course Technology; ISBN: 0619062002